Something awry with surveys on zoo levy

Monday

May 12, 2014 at 12:01 AMMay 12, 2014 at 10:18 AM

The 70 percent "no" vote against the permanent, 1.25-mill property tax for the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium was not just a landslide, it was a tsunami. It was an overwhelming, unstoppable wave of public sentiment that the zoo and its supporters must review and ponder before turning again to voters for more money.

The 70 percent “no” vote against the permanent, 1.25-mill property tax for the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium was not just a landslide, it was a tsunami. It was an overwhelming, unstoppable wave of public sentiment that the zoo and its supporters must review and ponder before turning again to voters for more money.

The pro-levy committee apparently spent hundreds of thousands of dollars surveying voter attitudes before the election. Either the surveys were wrong or were misinterpreted. Another consideration is that the zoo is no longer just a local attraction; it draws visitors from all corners of Ohio and beyond.

How about asking the governor and General Assembly to create a multi-county taxing district to support it?

But next time, please drop the idea about the branch zoo Downtown. That was the biggest cause of the tsunami of “no” votes and is why I voted no and urged others to do the same.

LEE BAILEY

Gahanna

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